United looking for new manager

WESTBURY United FC have parted ways with their manager and assistant manager in a sudden move last month.

Manager James Goddard and his assistant Karl Freeman were released by the club in January. There was no replacements ready to step in and the club is now on the lookout for a new manager.

James, 25, had been the manager of the Western League First Division side since August 2015. He told White Horse News he didn’t know they were let go and was disappointed by the decision.

Matt Bright, chairman of Westbury United, thanked James and Karl for their efforts but said their ambitions were ‘not aligned’ with the club’s.

James Goddard said, “I was very disappointed and surprised when I received the call from the chairman.

“We didn’t see this coming given the improvements the team had made this season. We honestly felt we were the right characters to give the club much-needed stability and continue to take the club forward.

“Unfortunately, the committee felt they needed to go in a different direction, which we have to respect.

“I am immensely proud to have managed Westbury and of the rebuilding job we have done. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time and wish the club all the best going forward.”

Goddard took the post following a string of changes over the past three years – Adam Collington took the reins in July 2014, followed by Shaun  Gardiner in 2015, then James later the same year when Gardiner resigned suddenly after signing a two-year contract.

Chairman Matt Bright said, “The committee would like to thank James and Karl for everything they have done for the club, however we feel our ambitions and goals are not aligned so we made the difficult decision to release them both.

“We have had several candidates come forward and are looking forward to short-listing in the coming weeks and sitting down with each to discuss their plans.  A decision will then be made collectively by the committee on who they believe is the right person for the job.”

Westbury United are currently 15th in the league and already have more points than they finished with last season; the side finished 20th in 2015/16 and 22nd – last – in 2014/15.